Latest global warming poll results toe the political line. Again.

Even as most Americans report experiencing abnormal weather conditions lately, more than four in 10 say the seriousness of global warming is generally exaggerated in the news. These sentiments are lower than the record 48% who believed this four years ago, but higher than any year before Barack Obama became president.

Though the largest share of Americans specifically describe reports on the seriousness of global warming as exaggerated, a slim majority collectively see these reports as generally correct (23%) or generally underestimated (33%). On this basis, most Americans seem to accept that global warming is at least as serious a problem as news reports say it is. Viewed still another way, fully three-quarters of the country believe that reports about global warming are mistaken — for better or worse.

It’s also no surprise that this poll reinforces the theory that people think about this issue in terms of their political framework – Republicans and Independents were far more likely to say it’s exaggerated and therefore see things quite differently than Democrats. Is this a measure of how much people listen to their chosen ideological leaders? Or is it a matter of the culture they are active in? Or, is it just an overall mindset that correlates your political views with this specific view. Maybe all three and more.

There was a large jump in results from 1998 to 2001 to the question regarding the thoughts of SCIENTISTS on whether global warming is occurring – from 48 to 61%. That dipped but it is coming back up. It’s a confusing question because you are asking people what other think. However, they are wrong, scientists overwhelmingly accept global warming is occurring. So, this question, a matter of perception, reflects what people wish to believe, not any knowledge about it. This is how polls can be deceptive. Those that answer the questions are hardly ever as careful answering as the researcher are about interpreting. You can get into trouble. However, as a quick measure of public sentiment, it can be useful for those who tailor messages and info to the public.

Results for the Gallup poll were based on telephone interviews conducted March 6-9, 2014, with a random sample of 1,048 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

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Their title is “Americans Most Likely to Say Global Warming Is Exaggerated”, however one look at the graph shows that to be misleading. Only 42% of respondents said it was exaggerated. The rest (56%) said it was not.

I’m sure if we split the “exaggerated” category into “a hoax”, “extremely exaggerated”, and “slightly inflated” we could change the title to “Americans Most Likely to Say Global Warming Is Generally Underestimated”.

Lies, damned lies, and statistics.

Gary

March 19, 2014 at 12:50 PM

A pretty useless poll. Exaggerated or underestimated by whom? The Media, the Heartland Institute, politicians? That’s a critical part that’s missing. The question about the scientists seem pretty useless and really adds to misinformation to emphasize that the opinions of scientists in general is important. It’s like asking what mechanics think of a particular type of motor without distinguishing those who are familiar with it from those who aren’t.

John

March 19, 2014 at 7:34 PM

We can’t buy your products of burn your fuel on a dead planet.

RDW

March 20, 2014 at 3:45 AM

I think a lot of people just choose to remain willfully ignorant of facts. They base their shallow opinions on the weather that is occurring directly over their head at that particular moment. As the Pacific Ocean soaks up more and more heat, we are bound to have drastic shifts in weather patterns. We could experience both brutal Winters AND horrible Summers here in the North, while the Southern hemisphere bakes and burns in the heat. A lot of people are just to f****** STUPID and PIG-HEADED to ever really care about future generations, or the suffering that their wanton excess inflicts upon nature. I can’t help but think, sometimes, that Humanity is doomed, and that we’re dooming much of the rest of the life on the planet with our callous disregard.

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